ACRNX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ACRNX (Columbia Acorn Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - ACRNX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Columbia, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, ACRNX returned 10.43%/yr vs 15.53%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ACRNX charges 0.83%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

ACRNX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Acorn Fund (ACRNX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACRNX achieves a 20.40% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 8.15% return. Over the past 10 years, ACRNX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 10.43%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.53% annualized return.

ACRNX

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: 8.34%
• YTD: 20.40%
• 6M: 17.36%
• 1Y: 34.34%
• 3Y*: 16.05%
• 5Y*: 3.56%
• 10Y*: 10.43%

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ACRNX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ACRNX Columbia Acorn Fund	20.40%	4.80%	14.46%	21.85%	-33.80%	8.62%	29.65%	26.65%	-8.82%	25.78%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between ACRNX and SPY is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 29, 1993	0.81

The correlation between ACRNX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ACRNX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ACRNX

ACRNX Risk / Return Rank: 37
ACRNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
ACRNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
ACRNX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
ACRNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
ACRNX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ACRNX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Acorn Fund (ACRNX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ACRNX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	1.90	-0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	2.58	-0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.34	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.16	2.67	-0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.18	11.92	-3.74

ACRNX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACRNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACRNX and SPY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ACRNX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACRNX drawdown since its inception was -56.70%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACRNX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACRNX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.70%	-55.19%	-1.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.63%	-8.88%	-7.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.05%	-18.76%	-11.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.58%	-24.50%	-21.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.58%	-33.72%	-11.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.17%	+3.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.77%	-9.04%	+0.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.38%	1.98%	+2.40%

Volatility

ACRNX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Acorn Fund (ACRNX) has a higher volatility of 7.98% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.87%. This indicates that ACRNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACRNX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.98%	4.87%	+3.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.33%	9.85%	+7.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.70%	12.50%	+9.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.19%	17.15%	+8.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.17%	17.95%	+5.22%

ACRNX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACRNX has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACRNX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

ACRNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACRNX Columbia Acorn Fund	0.87%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	5.30%	26.17%	13.28%	11.43%	8.55%	24.10%	39.09%	63.48%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACRNX and SPY in my portfolio?

ACRNX and SPY have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ACRNX or SPY?

ACRNX has higher volatility (7.98%) compared to SPY (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACRNX dropped -56.70% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.66), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.